James Le Blanc & Perry Stagg on Peers and 2nd Chances

Secretary James M. Le Blanc has worked for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections for more than 40 years. He has served the past nine years as Secretary, being appointed to the Cabinet position by two governors.

Le Blanc enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge in 1971, he returned to school and received a B.A. in Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University in December 1972.

His career in corrections began in 1973 at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Le Blanc promoted through the ranks, serving as Undersecretary (1992-1995), interim Director of Probation and Parole (1998-1999), Warden at Dixon Correctional Institute for 12 years, and Acting Chief of Operations (2007).

Secretary Le Blanc’s commitment to Louisiana’s justice system includes a focus on the fundamental importance of public safety while giving all citizens the opportunity to live productive lives. He routinely emphasizes “reentry” as a major factor of the Department’s mission. Reentry is his passion. Le Blanc believes that establishing valuable, real-world vocational, educational and life skills training for offenders in all institutions is one of the keys to ensuring the core mission of public safety. Reducing Louisiana’s number one (in the world) incarceration rate is a tall order, but Le Blanc’s enthusiasm for seeing offenders succeed is all the motivation this leader needs.

His many awards include being selected as the National Association of Wardens and Superintendents (NAAWS) “Warden of the Year.”

Perry Stagg is Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). He oversees the Office of Adult Service, and has worked in the field of Public safety and Corrections for 21 years with experience in Investigations, Finance, Programing, Security and Administration

Mr. Stagg served 10 years as an Assistant Warden at Louisiana State Penitentiary. Angola. While at Angola, Mr. Stagg became heavily involved in the Corrections Court Reentry Program, an innovative approach to rehabilitating short term offenders using Lifer inmates as mentors.

Mr. Stagg received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University in 1994. He is a member of the Louisiana Association of Wardens, the National Association of Wardens and Superintendents, the Louisiana Correctional Association and the American Correctional Association. Mr. Stagg is also a Certified Corrections Executive.